Underreamer



Dec. 2, 1924.

E. J. ROE

UNDERREAMER Filed Feb. 12

1924 2 Sheets-Sheet l Patented Dec. 2, 1924.

UNITED STATES rEMIlll'lflT J. ROE, 0F AUGUSTA, KANSAS.

UNDERREAMER.

Application filed February 12, 1924. Serial No. 692,407.

To all wzo/m t may concern.'

Be it known that EMMETT J. Ron, citizen of the United States, residingat Augusta,

' in the county of Butler and State of Kansas,

has invented certain new and useful Improvements in Underreamers, ofwhich the following is a specification.

My invention relates to well drilling tools and more particularly toimprovements in under-reamers adapted to be inserted into wells forenlarging or reaming the well hole below the end of the casing, topermit lowering of the casing as the work progresses.

1n practice, it is not uncommon for the bits of under-reamers to breakand drop to the bottom of the well, and before operations can be resumedthe broken part must be removed or destroyed and it is an object of myinvention to provide means which will prevent these broken parts fromdropping into the well and delaying operations.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for tightlyfitting the reamer bits in their sockets when in operative or cuttingposition.

A further object of the invention is to provide sockets for the reamerbits having their lower portions dropped to lie on a different planefrom the upper portions, so the bits may be readily expanded orcontracted.

A further object of the invention is to provide an expansion spring formoving the bits from a contracted to an expanded position and means forholding said spring com.- prfssed while the reamer is lowered in the wel.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of theabove-mentioned character which is simple and durable in construction,reliable and efficient in operation and inexpensive to manufacture.

@ther obiects and advantages of the invention will be apparent duringthe course of the following description.

1n the accompanying ldrawings forming a part of this specification andin which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughoutthe same,

Figure 1, is a perspective view of the reamer inserted in the casing,

Figure 2, is a longitudinal section of the same,

Figure 3, is a front elevation of the reamer with the upper portionbroken away showing the trip mechanism for holding the springcompressed,

Figure 4, is a front elevation of the lower part of the reamer with thebits removed,

Figure 5, is a side View of the same in longitudinal section,

Figure 6, is a side view of the bit,

Figure 7, is a front elevation of the bit, and,

Figure 8, is a detail view of the trip mechanism with the parts inseparate relation.

Referring to the drawing, wherein for thc purpose of illustration I haveshown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 5 designates atubular casing adapted to be inserted in the well hole for lining thesides. The reamer-bod 6 is shown inserted in the casing, having itslower end 8 shaped to form a wedge 9. The lower end 8 instead of beinguniformly tapered for its full length, extends down straight forapproximately one-half its length and is then gradually tapered to thcend. Oppositesides of the lower end 8 are formed with longitudinalgrooves or sockets 10 to support the reaming bits. The lower ends of thegrooves are closed by the cross piece 11 joined to the apex of the wedge9, forming pockets at the bottom of the grooves to catch any brokenparts of the bits that might fall.

The surface of the grooves 10 extends downwardly on a level plane to thepoint 14 and from this point to the point 15 it is tapered on a slightincline. At the point 15 there is an abrupt drop in the surface, as at16, placing the lower end 15 of the groove on a lower plane than theupper end. The sides of the grooves are undercut forming guide ways 12and flanges 13 for guiding the movement of the reaming bits. The flangesfollow the contour of the lower end 8, s'o at the point 16, theguidevways are deeper, so there is sutlicient play between the bits andsockets to facilitate the passing of. the bits from the top to thebottom of the grooves. The flanges 13 below the drop 16 are cut awayforming recesses 40 to provide an opening to permit removal of thereaming bits. The ends of the flanges at the upper end of the recesses40 are inclined downwardly and the ends of the flanges at the lower endsof the recesses are, inclined upwardly, so that by lifting the upper endof the bits they may be readily removed.

The reaming bits 17 are adapted to travel in the grooves 10 havinglongitudinal recesses 17' in their sides forming upper and lower flanges18 and 19, respectively. The recesses 17 at the upper end of the bitsare flared so as to taper the ends of the flanges. The flanges 19 slidein the ways l2, the latter having their upper ends slight-- ly tapered,as at 18', to effect a tightfit between the grooves and the reaming bitswhen the bits are in expanded or operative position, as more cle-arlyshown in Fig. 5. The upper ends of the reaming bits terminate in obliquefaces 19 adapted to fit the oblique faces of the abutments 20 formed atthe upper ends of the grooves 10. When in expanded position the outerface of the bits will project beyond the body of the reamer sufficientlyto bear against the in terior of the hole. To conform with the curvatureof the hole the outer surface of the bits is curved transversely and iswider at its lower or cutting edge 21. Each of the bits is providedabove its cutting edge with a slot 22 to receive the end of the crossbar 23 and a recess 24 is formed at each side of the slot to receive theheads of the pins 25 fitted in the ends4 of the cross bar. Thus, it isseen that by reason of this construction the bits are connected togetherso as to have free lateral movement on the cross bar. The cross barpasses through the longitudinal slot 25 which intersects the centralbore 27 of the body 6 and is connected to the lower end of the plungerrod 26 slidably mounted within the bore. The upper portion 26 of thebore 27 is enlarged to receive the expansible coil spring 28 mounted onthe rod 26 and having one end seated on the shoulder 29 and the oppositeend bearing against the circular head 30.

In order to hold the spring compressed and the bits in contractedposition while being lowered into the well, the head 30 of the plungerrod 26 is provided with oppositely extending vpins 31 having bevelededges and adapted to travel in grooves 32 formed within the bore 27.These pins are seated in the V-shaped recesses 32 formed in the edge ofthe trips or plates 33 slidably mounted in the slots 34 extendingthrough the body of the reamer at a point where the head of the plungerrod will be when the spring is compressed. The trips 33 are providedwith elongated slots 35 through which pins 36 pass, holding the trips inplace but permitting free movement thereof. Thus, it is seen that byreason of this construction when the trips enter the casing they will beheld against outward movement by contactl with the interior surface,until the trips have passed the lower end of the casing whenthey willrelease the plunger rod permitting the expansible spring to lift theplunger rod, drawing the reaming bits into operative position.

In order that the reamer may be conrests@ 99 @he usuel string ofdrilling tools the upper end of the bore 27 is tapered and screwthreaded, 'as at 37, to receive the tapered end 38 of the pipe union 39which connects the 'reamer to the string of tools.

In use, to insert the under-reamer into thel well the reamer bits aredrawn to the lower end of the grooves or sockets to contracted positionand the trips pressed inwardly so as to seat the pins projecting fromthe head of the plunger rod in the recesses, thus holding the expansiblespring under compression. The trips are held against outward movement bycontact with the interior of the casing, until they pass the lower endof the casing when the trips rclease the spring which lifts the plungerrod and draws the bits to the upper end of the grooves to expanded oroperative position. To withdraw the tool it is pullcu upward and theends of the casing will con- 7 tact with the upper ends of the bitsmoving them downward to the lower end of the grooves, in which positionthey are held lby contact with the interior of the casing.- If

in operation the bits should break, instead "i of the broken partsdropping to the bot'tom oi. the well, they will follow the course of thegroove and be deposited in theloiver ends or pockets of the grooves. Toremove the bits, they are disconnected from the cross bar, and the upperends lifted so as to pass through the recesses in the flanges of theguide ways.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown anddescribed is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and thatcertain changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may beresorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or thescope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my inventiomwhat I claim is 1. In an under-reamer,the combination of a reamer bo dy having grooves at its lower end, saidgrooves having their lower portions on vertical planes nearer the axisof the body than the upper portions the lower end of said body adjacentthe lower portion of said grooves being tapered, and reaming bitsslidably mounted within said grooves.

2. In an under-reamer, the combination of a reamer body having groovesforming sockets, the bottom ofl said grooves having an abrupt dropapproximately midway their length, placing the lower and upper.

portions of the grooves on vertical planes at different distances fromthe axis of the body, and reaming bits slidably mounted in the saidgrooves.

3. In an underreamer, the combination of a reamer body having groovesformino sockets, the upper and lower portions o said grooves beingdisposedH on vertical llt) planes at different distances from the axisof the body, guide-ways along the sides of said grooves taperinginwardly towards their lower end, and reaming bits slidably mounted insaid guide-ways.

4. In an under-reamer, the combination of a reamer body having a wedgeshaped end, said end having longitudinal grooves, the upper and lowerportions of the surfaces of said grooves being on vertical planes atdifferent distances from the axis of the body, guide-ways at the sidesof said grooves tapering inwardly at their lower ends, reaming bitshaving flanges slidably mounted in said guide-ways, and yielding meansfor moving said bits to the upper end of said grooves.

5. In an under-reamer, the combination of' a reamer body having sockets,said sockets having guide flanges flared at one end, and reamer bitsslidably mounted in said sockets having correspondingly shaped groovesto receive said guide flanges.

6. In an under-reamer, the combination of a reamer body having sockets,guide flanges at the sides of said sockets having a flared end, andreamer bits slidably mounted in said sockets having grooves in theirsides flared at one end to receive the flared end of said flanges.

7. In an under-reamer, the combination of a reamer body having socketsclosed at both ends, guide ways at the sides of said sockets havingopenings, said guide ways being relatively wider adjacent said openings,and reaner bits slidably mounted in said sockets having flanges to fitsaid guide ways.

8. In an under-reamer, the combination of a reamer body having socketsclosed at both ends, guide ways along the sides of said sockets havingelongated open recesses spaced from both ends of said sockets and reamerbits having longitudinal flanges slidably mounted in said sockets andguide wavs.

9. In an under-reamer, the combination of a reamer body having socketsclosed at both ends, the bottom of said sockets having an abrupt dropapproximately midway its length guide ways at the sides of said socketshaving recesses below said abrupt drop, and reamer bits slidably mountedin said sockets having flanges fitting said guide ways.

`10. In an under-reamer, the combination of a reamer body having socketsclosed at both ends, reamer bits slidably mounted in said sockets havingflanges, and guide ways at the side of said sockets to receive the angesof the reamer bits having recesses, the ends of the flanges at saidrecesses being tapered to facilitate removal and insertion of saidreamer bits.

11. In an undenreamer, the combination of a reamer body having groovesforming sockets, the bottom of said sockets having an abrupt dropplacing the lower portion on a vertical plane nearer the axis of thebody than the upper portion, guide ways at the sides of said socketstapering inwardly towards the lower portion and reamer bits slidablymounted in said sockets.

12. In an under-reamer, the combination of a reamer body having sockets,the base of said sockets having its upper and lower portions in verticalplanes at different distances from the axis of said body, and reamerbits mounted in said sockets.

13. In an underereamer, the combination of.' a reamer body havingopposed sockets, the base of said sockets having their lower end onvertical planes nearer to the axis of said body than the upper end,reamer bits slidable in said sockets and means for contracting said bitswhen moved to the lower end of said sockets.

14e. In an under-reamer, the combination of a reamer body havingsockets, said sockets having the upper portion of their surface off-setfrom the lower portion and connected by a downwardly and inwardlyinclined shoulder, and reamer bits slidable in said sockets. saidshoulders being adapted to exiand said bits when the latter are moved tothe uppcrend of said sockets. 15. In an under-reamer, the combination ofa, reamer body having sockets, said sockets having a downwardly andinwardly inclined shoulder formed intermediate their length, and reamerbits slidable in said sockets, said shoulders being adapted to` expandsaid bits when the latter are moved to the upper end of said sockets.

16.` In an under-reamer, the combination of a reamer body havingsockets, the base of said sockets having its upper and lower portions onvertical planes at different distances from the axis of said body,reamer bits mounted in said sockets, and means for moving said bits toexpanded position.

17. In an under-reamer, the combination of a reamer body having sockets,said sockets having guide flanges flared at one end, reamer bitsslidably mounted in said sockets having correspondingly shaped groovesto receive said guide flanges and automatic means for moving said bitstowards the flared end of said guide flanges for effecting a tight lltbetween said flanges and grooves.

18. In an under-reamer, the combination of a reamer body having sockets,the sides of said sockets having flared flanges and wedge shapedgrooves, and reamer bits slidably mounted in said sockets havingcorrespondingly shaped grooves and flanges to t said flanges and groovesof said sockets.

19. In an under-reamer, the combination of a reamer body having sockets,said sockets having the surface of their lower portions on a planenearer to the aXis of the body than the surface of the upper portions,said upper and lower portions being connected together by a downwardlyand inwardly inclined shoulder and reamer bits slidably mounted in saidsockets, said shoulder being adapted for expanding said bits when thelatter are moved to the upper end of said sockets.

20. In an under-reamer, the combination of a reamer body having a bore,reami'ng bits slidably mounted in said body, spring controlled meansmounted in said bore and having connection with said reaming bits,grooves formed in said bore extending longitudinally thereof, meanscarried by said spring controlled means movable in said grooves andtrips mountedpin said body adapted to engage said second mentioned meansto hold said spring controlled means compressed.

2l. In an under-reamer, the combination of a reamer body having a bore,reaming bits slidably mounted in said body, a spring controlled plungermounted in said bore having connection with said reamer bits. anenlarged head formed on the upper end of said plunger, grooves formed insaid bore extending longitudinally thereof pins projecting laterallyfrom said head movable in said grooves and trips slidably mounted inslots in the body having recesses adapted to receive said pins to holdsaid plunger compressed.

22. In an under-reamer, the combination of a reamer body having areduced end, the surfaces of the upper and lower portions of the reducedend being disposed on vertical planes at dierent distances from the axisof said body, guide ribs formed at the sides of the surfaces ot' theupper and lower portions. said ribs converging inwardly towards thelower portion, reaming bits having means slidably engaging said guideribs, and means for moving the reaming bits from one portion of the endto the other portion.

23. In an under-reamer, the combination of a body having a reduced end,the surfaces ol the upper and lower portions of the end being disposedon planes at different distances from the axis of said body, said upperand lower portions being connected by a downwardly and inwardly inclinedshoulder, guide ribs formed at the sides of the surfaces of the upperand lower portions, said ribs converging inwardly towards the lowerportion, roaming bits having means slidably engaging said guide ribs andmeans for moving said bits from one portion of the end te the otherportion.

In testimony whereot` I affix my signature.

EMMETT J. ROE.

